Amanda!

1. How would a life on a tower be different from a life anywhere else for Amanda ?

Ans. In the poem “Amanda!” by Robin Klein, the young girl Amanda imagines herself living a
life on a tower, far from the constraints and rules imposed by her mother. The idea of a
tower symbolizes freedom and isola>on, where Amanda could escape from her mother's
constant scolding and live independently according to her own desires.
A life on a tower would be vastly different from the life she experiences with her mother
because it would offer solitude and self-determina>on. Unlike the constant nagging and
instrucBon she faces at home, a tower would allow Amanda to be away from the pressures
of conformity and live on her own terms. In her daydreams, Amanda would have the liberty
to think freely, dream without interrup>on, and choose her own path—something she
feels she is deprived of in her current life.
The tower, in this sense, becomes a symbol of freedom—a space where Amanda would not
be forced to adhere to the rules or limitaBons set by her mother. She could live in the silence
and peace of her own thoughts, much like how she imagines herself as a mermaid or gypsy.
It represents an idealized version of life, where Amanda can escape from the rigid structure
of her home and be the person she wants to be, free from judgment or control.
In contrast to life elsewhere, where Amanda is oFen told to sit straight, finish her
homework, or stop daydreaming, a tower would be a place of personal autonomy, where
she would no longer feel the need to conform to someone else’s expectaBons.
Thus, a life on a tower would allow Amanda to experience freedom, peace, and self-
expression, providing her a stark contrast to the rouBne and disciplined life imposed by her
mother.

2. Do you consider Amanda’s mother to be a nagging mother?

Ans. Yes, Amanda’s mother in "Amanda!" by Robin Klein can be considered a nagging
mother. Throughout the poem, she repeatedly issues commands and reminders to her
daughter, Amanda, without giving her the space to express herself. She scolds Amanda for
various things, such as siJng up straight, finishing her homework, and avoiding
daydreaming. The mother's voice is persistent and authoritaBve, and she is constantly trying
to impose structure and discipline on Amanda’s behavior.
This controlling aJtude reflects a nagging nature, as she appears to focus more on
correcBng Amanda's acBons and enforcing rules rather than understanding her daughter’s
emoBonal needs or desires. The mother's incessant instrucBons and reprimands come
across as somewhat dismissive of Amanda’s inner world and imaginaBon, as she constantly
interrupts her daughter’s thoughts and dreams with pracBcal demands.
However, it's important to note that the mother’s intenBons may not be malicious. She may
be acBng out of a desire to guide and protect her daughter, teaching her responsibility and
discipline. Nonetheless, her approach comes across as overbearing and sBfling, making
Amanda feel frustrated and disconnected from her mother. Amanda’s fantasies of escaping
to a life of freedom, such as living on a tower or as a mermaid, show that she longs for
autonomy and the ability to live outside the boundaries set by her mother.
In conclusion, while the mother may not be intenBonally harmful, her constant nagging and
lack of understanding toward Amanda's inner world contribute to the tension in their
relaBonship. This makes her seem like a nagging mother, whose acBons are driven by a
desire for control rather than empathy for her daughter's emoBonal needs.

3. How was Amanda behaving when the poem starts? What did the speaker ask her not to
do?

Ans. When the poem "Amanda!" by Robin Klein starts, Amanda is behaving in a way that
shows she is lost in her thoughts, possibly daydreaming. The speaker, who is likely her
mother, noBces that Amanda is not paying aOenBon to her surroundings or listening to her
instrucBons. She is dreamy and distant, not following the expectaBons set by the speaker.
The speaker’s instrucBons show a desire for Amanda to behave in a more disciplined,
controlled manner and to focus on pracBcal tasks, such as siJng properly and being
aOenBve. However, Amanda seems to prefer leJng her mind wander, indicaBng a sense of
inner restlessness and a yearning for something beyond the mundane rules imposed by her
mother. This contrast between the mother’s commands and Amanda’s dreamy state sets the
tone for the poem, highlighBng the tension between the pracBcal and the imaginaBve.

4. What impression of Amanda do you get from the poem ‘Amanda!’?

Ans. From the poem “Amanda!” by Robin Klein, the impression of Amanda is that of a
dreamy, sensi>ve, and imagina>ve young girl who feels constrained by the rigid rules and
constant instrucBons from her mother. Throughout the poem, Amanda is portrayed as
someone who is not parBcularly rebellious but rather longs for freedom and self-
expression.
Amanda seems to be someone with a rich inner world, full of fantasies and dreams. She
imagines herself as a mermaid, a gipsy, and even as someone living on a tower, far away
from the constraints of everyday life. These daydreams suggest that Amanda has a deep
desire for independence, escape, and a life outside the limitaBons imposed by her mother.
Her behavior, as depicted in the poem, indicates that she is oFen in a world of her own,
unable to conform to the strict expectaBons her mother has for her. While the mother scolds
her for things like slouching or daydreaming, Amanda seems to be indifferent to these
demands, absorbed in her fantasies. This shows that Amanda may feel sBfled and
misunderstood, as she yearns for something more than what her mother’s instrucBons offer
her.
At the same Bme, Amanda is not portrayed as a defiant or troublesome child. Rather, her
behavior reflects a longing for a life of freedom, crea>vity, and self-determina>on, which
contrasts with the structured and disciplined life her mother expects her to lead.
In summary, Amanda comes across as a sensi>ve and imagina>ve girl, who feels trapped by
her mother’s constant scolding and wishes for a life where she can live according to her own
dreams and desires, free from the constraints of society and parental expectaBons.
5. What message does the poet want to give through the poem ‘Amanda’?

Ans. Through the poem “Amanda!” by Robin Klein, the poet conveys a powerful message
about paren>ng, freedom, and individuality. The poem highlights the tension that arises
when parents impose excessive control and discipline on children, without understanding
their emoBonal needs or encouraging their creaBvity. The poet uses Amanda’s character to
show how constant nagging, criBcism, and instrucBons can sBfle a child’s imaginaBon and
make them feel trapped or misunderstood.
The poem underscores the idea that while discipline and guidance are important in raising
children, excessive control and lack of empathy can negaBvely affect their mental and
emoBonal well-being. Amanda’s mother, though well-meaning, appears to focus only on
Amanda’s behavior and outward appearance, neglecBng to nurture her inner world and
dreams. This leads Amanda to retreat into her imaginaBon, longing for freedom and escape
from the constraints imposed on her.
The poet also conveys that children need space to dream, explore, and express themselves.
Amanda’s fantasies—of being a mermaid, living on a tower, or wandering as a gipsy—
represent her desire for a life free from restricBons, where she can live without constant
criBcism. The contrast between Amanda’s dreamy world and her mother’s harsh commands
serves to emphasize the importance of allowing children to develop their individuality.
In essence, the poet’s message is that parents should strike a balance between discipline
and freedom, encouraging children’s creaBvity while offering guidance. Overbearing
behavior may lead to emoBonal detachment, frustraBon, and a loss of self-esteem in
children. The poem serves as a reminder that empathy, understanding, and respect for a
child’s individuality are crucial in fostering a healthy parent-child relaBonship.

6. ‘Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you’? Who do you think is speaking to
Amanda?

Ans. The line “Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you?” is spoken by
Amanda’s mother. In Robin Klein’s poem “Amanda!”, the mother represents a typical
authoritaBve parent who constantly nags and scolds Amanda for her behavior. This
parBcular line reflects the mother’s frustraBon with Amanda’s inaOenBveness, as Amanda is
lost in her own world of daydreams and does not respond to her mother’s repeated
instrucBons.
The tone of the mother’s voice is commanding and criBcal, emphasizing her desire for
control and discipline over Amanda’s acBons. However, Amanda’s lack of response shows
that she is emoBonally detached from the situaBon, preferring to escape into her
imaginaBon rather than engage with her mother’s stern demeanor. This line further
highlights the tension between Amanda’s inner world and her mother’s expectaBons,
underscoring the theme of the poem—the conflict between parental authority and a child’s
longing for freedom and individuality.

7. Why does Amanda wish to be an orphan?

Ans. In the poem "Amanda!" by Robin Klein, Amanda wishes to be an orphan because she
desires freedom from her mother’s constant nagging and instruc>ons. She feels
overwhelmed by the strict rules and expectaBons imposed on her. In her imaginaBon,
Amanda visualizes life as an orphan as being peaceful and carefree, without the burden of
someone constantly telling her what to do.
Amanda expresses this longing when she says:
"I am an orphan, roaming the street,
I pa1ern so2 dust with my hushed, bare feet."
These lines reflect Amanda’s yearning for a simple, unrestrained life. As an orphan, she
imagines herself free to roam wherever she wants, creaBng paOerns in the dust without
anyone to control her acBons or criBcize her. To Amanda, being an orphan symbolizes
independence, peace, and a life free from restric>ons, in stark contrast to her current life,
where she feels trapped by constant scolding.
Her desire to be an orphan doesn’t stem from a literal wish to lose her parents, but rather
from her need for emo>onal space and freedom. It highlights the deep disconnect she feels
with her mother, who focuses more on correcBng her behavior than on understanding her
dreams and emoBons. This part of the poem underscores the central theme of how
overbearing parenBng can push a child toward escapism and a longing for solitude.

8. How does Amanda tackle the nagging nature of her parents? Explain with examples
from the poem ‘Amanda!’. What values does it portray about Amanda?

Ans. In Robin Klein’s poem “Amanda!”, Amanda tackles the nagging nature of her parents
by retreaBng into her imagina>ve world. Each Bme her mother scolds or instructs her,
Amanda responds silently by daydreaming about a life of freedom and independence. Her
imaginaBon becomes her way of escaping from the relentless criBcism and rigid
expectaBons imposed by her mother.
For example, when her mother asks her to sit up straight and not to hunch her shoulders,
Amanda mentally escapes into a fantasy where she is a mermaid in the calm sea, free and
alone, saying:
"I am a mermaid, dri2ing blissfully."
This daydream reflects her desire to be in a peaceful world, where she is free from rules and
control.
Later, when her mother criBcizes her for sulking and asks her to behave properly, Amanda
imagines herself as an orphan, walking barefoot through the streets, free to roam without
restricBons:
"I am an orphan, roaming the street,
I pa1ern so2 dust with my hushed, bare feet."
This fantasy reveals her wish to live a simple, independent life, free from the pressures of
constant supervision.
Again, when her mother tells her not to bite her nails and to clean up her room, Amanda
escapes into another daydream where she imagines herself living in a tower, much like
Rapunzel, isolated and free from interference:
"I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
Life in a tower is tranquil and rare."
Here, Amanda expresses her longing for solitude and peace, without the interrupBons of
parental nagging.
Values portrayed about Amanda:
1. Imagina>ve and Crea>ve – Amanda’s vivid fantasies of being a mermaid, an orphan,
and Rapunzel show her rich imaginaBon and creaBvity. She uses her imaginaBon as a
coping mechanism to deal with her mother’s constant instrucBons.
2. Sensi>ve and Dreamy – Amanda’s desire for solitude and peace reflects her sensiBve
nature. She is a child who feels deeply and craves emoBonal freedom, which she
expresses through her dreams.
3. Independent and Free-Spirited – Amanda’s fantasies highlight her longing for
independence and a life where she is not bound by rigid rules and expectaBons. She
desires to live on her own terms, symbolizing a free-spirited nature.
In conclusion, Amanda tackles her parents’ nagging by mentally escaping into a world where
she can live freely, without judgment or control. This portrays her as a crea>ve, sensi>ve,
and independent-minded child who yearns for understanding and emoBonal freedom. The
poem also highlights the need for parents to be more empatheBc and nurturing, rather than
overly criBcal or controlling.

9. Why does Amanda want to be a mermaid?

Ans. Amanda wants to be a mermaid because she imagines a life of freedom, peace, and
blissful solitude in the calm sea, far from the constant nagging and restricBons imposed by
her mother. As a mermaid, she envisions herself driFing effortlessly through the water, free
from rules and responsibiliBes. This fantasy reflects her desire for an ideal world where she
can live without judgment or interference. The mermaid symbolizes Amanda’s longing for a
peaceful, carefree existence, where she can be in control of her life and find comfort in
solitude. Her daydream about being a mermaid is an escape from the overwhelming
expectaBons of her mother, highlighBng Amanda’s need for emoBonal freedom.